The school board accepted a plan in December that includes the following goals: developing five magnet schools by 2017, providing dual credit courses in partnership with higher education institutions by 2015 and working with partners to draft a feasibility plan for a community recreational facility.

The document outlines the district's priorities to help guide leaders through future business, teaching and facility decisions.

Now, administrators will create a roadmap to show board members what it would take to accomplish these goals. Superintendent Michael Houselog said the information should be presented to the School Board in February or March.

"This kind of plan has the potential of creating more choices for parents, more choices for students," Houselog said.

The board's acceptance of the strategic plan does not mean that leaders will act on the goals. School Board Member Kelly Diamond said at the December meeting that the board will not jeopardize the education, safety or finances of the district and its students to achieve the objectives.

"Regardless of what direction or what big strategies we want to look at, those are the things that have to happen ... kind of like the non-negotiables," Diamond said.

Member Rob Torbert added that the School Board will continue to do what's needed to obtain and retain high-quality educators. He said leaders will need to come up with creative methods in the current financial climate to encourage teachers to stay in Belvidere.

A report from PMA Financial Network Inc. revealed in December that the School District is facing a collective $10.8 million deficit through fiscal year 2019. Torbert said leaders must start planning how the district will address the potential deficit.

Leaders remain confident that these goals are feasible for the district.

Houselog said past decisions - like creating a dual language program or turning Washington Academy into a school that focuses on learning about science, technology, engineering and math - were either cost-neutral or less expensive in the district budget.